Often overshadowed by Olympic Games held only weeks prior, the Paralympic Games are not to be overlooked. This year, the Paralympics in Sochi were very interesting to follow. The Games debuted on March 7 and concluded on March 16. Like in the Olympic Games, Canada performed exceptionally, coming third in the gold medal count after Germany and Russia, with a total of seven from events such as alpine and cross-country skiing, as well as wheelchair curling. Unfortunately, Canada did not win the gold medal in sledge hockey, but did successfully attain the bronze medal in a 3-0 game against Norway. This was an improvement from the Vancouver 2010 games, in which Canada did not finish in a medal position at fourth place. The Canadian team was undefeated in the preliminary round but lost to the United States 3-0 in the semifinals before falling to Norway in the bronze medal game.
As for the other participating nations, the Russians dominated, coming in first place with a total of 80 medals, 30 of them gold, 28 silver, and 22 bronze. The amount of gold medals won by Russia were greater than the next six countries combined. Second and third in overall medals was Ukraine and the United States, respectively. Canada came in third place, winning 16 medals in total.
Several Canadians finished with impressive results. Brian McKeever of Canmore, Alberta won three gold medals in Men’s 20 km, 10 km, and 1 km sprint in visually impaired cross-country skiing. This continues an impressive trend of the past Paralympic events since the 2002 games in Salt Lake City, as a McKeever has won at least three medals on every occasion. He is the first Canadian Winter Paralympian to win 10 gold medals.
16 year old Mac Marcoux of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario won three medals in the visually impaired alpine skiing events, a gold in the Giant Slalom event and two bronze medals in the Downhill and Super-G events. Marcoux, the youngest member of the Canadian Paralympic team, said after winning gold, “This is a dream come true. It is so surreal, I was nervous at the top. I tried to relax and forget about everything, listen to music, because when you think too much it can mess with your head. It is the best moment of my life. I can’t even explain how amazing this is.”
Visually impaired skiers have a guide to lead them on the track during the events. The guides win medals along with the athletes. Brian McKeever’s guides were Graham Nishikawa and Erik Carleton. Mac Marcoux’s guide was Robin Fémy.
Josh Dueck of Cranbrook, British Columbia won a gold medal in the Men’s – Downhill Sitting event and a silver medal in the Super-G Sitting Event. Josh Dueck was chosen to be the flag bearer in the closing ceremonies.
Chris Klebl of Canmore, Alberta won a gold medal in the 10km Cross Country Skiing Sitting event.
The Canadian Wheelchair Curling team was victorious over the Russians in the gold medal game by a score of 8-3. The team members were Jim Armstrong, Ina Forrest, Dennis Thiessen, Sonja Gaudet, Mark Ideson, and the coach Joe Rea.
The next Winter Paralympic Games are to be held in Pyeongchang, South Korea, in 2018.
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